Comments on: Europe, Volcanoes, and the Current Travel Climate

By: theprofessionalhobo

theprofessionalhobo — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 05:14:43 +0000

@Joost – Great info, thanks! I wasn’t planning on driving anyway, as I tend to find the trains and buses give me a better chance to soak in my surroundings.

By: Joost

Joost — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 01:08:13 +0000

Hi, as a Dutchman, could I drop some lines about the Netherlands.

Firstly, don’t go to Amsterdam, stay away form that expensive overhyped city. Please prefer smaller towns such as Leiden, Haarlem, Delft in the West aka the Randstad. We’re a very small country, outside the Randstad many other areas are well worth to visit. You’re mad if you drive, our roads are very busy especially during rush hour and many local goverments and stupid politicans are car-haters. Better, you can buy an off-peak rail card who gave 40% discount on off-peak train travelling and you can go everywhere with fast frequent trains. September and October are good periods, despite autumn it can be good weather with 10-15 degrees Celsius, sometimes even 20 degrees.

English is widely spoken, but often as Dunglish. Dunglish is bad English contains English words and Dutch grammar. See http://www.dunglish.nl for terrible examples. For the television, English television shows and series are subtitled, so you can follow them in your mothertongue. Outside foreign subtitled television our television contains too many Dunglish.

Yours, Joost

By: Kate

Kate — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 14:06:02 +0000

i am sure i can manage a day in edinburgh! it is such a beautiful city

By: theprofessionalhobo

theprofessionalhobo — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 07:56:32 +0000

@Kate – Sweet, thanks for the tip! Wanna go together?

By: Kate

Kate — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 18:14:25 +0000

This is such a wonderful festival, that you would be crazy to miss it! Especially if you are in the UK! Edinburgh is a stunningly beautiful city and the vibe in the city during the festival is not to be missed, especially for someone who is so close to the Arts (like you!)

http://www.eif.co.uk/

By: theprofessionalhobo

theprofessionalhobo — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 06:14:53 +0000

@Lilliane – I actually don’t like planning out itineraries or (booking travel arrangements) much either! It takes a lot of time and effort. But this trip to Europe really fell into place quite nicely. It’s a sign I’m doing something right, I think!

By: Lilliane/the wanderlass

Lilliane/the wanderlass — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 16:27:50 +0000

Congratulations! i’m so stressed always to come up with an itinerary. That’s why I’m still here and not already on the road. hehe. I like the flexibility of (ish).

By: theprofessionalhobo

theprofessionalhobo — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 09:48:10 +0000

@Eli – Indeed it’s the unknown that make travel interesting…I think that’s what travel is all about – launching ourselves into a world of unknowns.
Speaking of October…you must be getting excited about your upcoming departure…

By: Eli

Eli — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 05:40:12 +0000

So much unknown and uncontrollable factors in the world. Planet Earth is a constantly changing place, both physically and politically. Isn’t that what makes traveling so interesting?

Your itinerary for Europe sounds terrific. It’s cool that you’re leaving October and beyond a little in the dark. Go with the flow!

By: theprofessionalhobo

theprofessionalhobo — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 01:56:15 +0000

@Jen – Amen, sistah! Although there are parts of these plans that are pretty firm, there is flexibility within them, and I’m also a big fan of rolling with the punches. Heck – My first travel destination was supposed to be Central America…and more than three years later, I’ve still yet to go there! Talk about deviation…(smiles)